The presidency of Donald Trump threatened the very nature of American democracy, and his political influence continues to represent a danger to national society as well as the world at large. We will never be able to erase his impact, as the Republican Party will reflect his wild ultra-conservatism for years to come. The senseless acts targeted towards many jeopardized groups can never be undone. And yet, a large percentage of the citizens of the United States still support and encourage his actions.
One could cite countless examples in the last several years as evidence for the downright evil he has caused. However, his immorality, lying, racism, violent rhetoric, incitement of an insurrection, supporting rioters behind the insurrection, two impeachments, 91 criminal indictments come immediately to mind, to name a few.
John F. Kelly is an American former political advisor and retired U.S. Marine Corps general who served as White House chief of staff for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. Recently, Kelly shared his most scathing rebuke of Donald Trump, describing him as follows:
“What can I add that has not already been said? A person (Trump) who thinks that those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’
A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.
A person who is not truthful on the protection of unborn life, on women, on minorities, on Evangelical Christians, on Jews, on working men and women…A person that has no idea what America is all about.
A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior (General Mark Milley) who has served his country for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason – in expectation that someone will take action.
A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.
There is nothing more that can be said…God help us.”
These are sharp words coming from a lifelong Republican and someone who worked very closely with Trump for years, and they should raise concern among all of Trump’s supporters; yet, Trump supporters largely ignore such a call for alarm.
This week, in the midst of a war between Israel and Hamas, Trump took to the failing Truth Social platform and posted the following:
This is the rambling of a narcissistic imbecile, not a world leader. On different occasions in the past week, Trump also said shoplifters should be immediately shot, suggested the United States’ top general be executed (which was referenced by John Kelly – see above) and mocked Nancy Pelosi’s husband, who was beaten with a hammer during a break-in.
Trump also repeated inflammatory lies regarding Democrats’ position on abortion rights. In an Iowa speech, he said, “If it’s after the ninth month and the baby was born, you put the baby aside. You discuss with the mother and if the mother doesn’t want the baby we execute the baby. This is part of their thing.” There is no provision in the U.S. that allows for babies to be executed after birth if the mother does not want them – it’s yet another example of Trump’s violent rhetoric and lies that his supporters continue to accept.
The ramifications of his remarks extend far beyond the outcome of any sort of legislation. They seep into the rhetoric of greater society and set the precedent for how lawmakers are supposed to behave. When young Americans witness such political dysfunction as has occurred in the majority of their lifetimes, the source of the growing trend of a lack of patriotism and apathy towards the government becomes apparent. Young citizens of America witness the impact of the climate crisis, their likelihood of astronomical college debt rising, the growing lack of housing, decreased access to affordable medical care, and they no longer believe in the “land of opportunity” that is their country.
They become angry. They become disillusioned with the state of politics at large. The widespread apathy of young people in this country is no happy accident, however. It is most advantageous to Donald Trump that people distrust one another and the media, and either blindly follow him or distrust all politicians and media outlets that do not directly support his views.
We must undo the political isolation and polarization older generations have sowed. We must facilitate communication and make space for respectful discussion and discourse. Only then can we begin to heal the damage this man has caused.
